The use of questionnaires for rotating residents in evaluating training in anesthesiology

BACKGROUND: We prepared questionnaires for the rotating residents during their assignment for anesthesiology in the novel Japanese residency programs for the year 2004. METHODS: Questionnaires consisting of 39 items with 235 model answers for these items were prepared. The residents underwent three interviews by these questionnaires over the three-month training period. The number of correct answers for these questionnaires was recorded and evaluated using a computer database software. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between the results of these questionnaires and the subjective evaluation by supervisors conducted during clinical training. On stepwise regression analysis, the results of the questionnaires for "American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status", "contraindications for epidural anesthesia", "complications of general anesthesia" and "initial procedures for patients in the operating room" correlated with the subjective evaluation by supervisors. CONCLUSIONS: Stepwise regression analysis was shown to be helpful in improving the questionnaires regarding the training in anesthesiology.